Presyncope

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vendhan Ramanujam M.B.B.S [2]

Synonyms and keywords: Faintness; generalized weakness; lightheadedness; near blackout; near fainting; near syncope

Historical Perspective

[Disease name] was first discovered by [name of scientist], a [nationality + occupation], in [year]/during/following [event].

The association between [important risk factor/cause] and [disease name] was made in/during [year/event].

In [year], [scientist] was the first to discover the association between [risk factor] and the development of [disease name].

In [year], [gene] mutations were first implicated in the pathogenesis of [disease name].

There have been several outbreaks of [disease name], including -----.

In [year], [diagnostic test/therapy] was developed by [scientist] to treat/diagnose [disease name].

Classification

There is no established system for the classification of [disease name].

OR

[Disease name] may be classified according to [classification method] into [number] subtypes/groups: [group1], [group2], [group3], and [group4].

OR

[Disease name] may be classified into [large number > 6] subtypes based on [classification method 1], [classification method 2], and [classification method 3]. [Disease name] may be classified into several subtypes based on [classification method 1], [classification method 2], and [classification method 3].

OR

Based on the duration of symptoms, [disease name] may be classified as either acute or chronic.

OR

If the staging system involves specific and characteristic findings and features: According to the [staging system + reference], there are [number] stages of [malignancy name] based on the [finding1], [finding2], and [finding3]. Each stage is assigned a [letter/number1] and a [letter/number2] that designate the [feature1] and [feature2].

OR

The staging of [malignancy name] is based on the [staging system].

OR

There is no established system for the staging of [malignancy name].

Pathophysiology

The exact pathogenesis of [disease name] is not fully understood.

OR

It is thought that [disease name] is the result of / is mediated by / is produced by / is caused by either [hypothesis 1], [hypothesis 2], or [hypothesis 3].

OR

[Pathogen name] is usually transmitted via the [transmission route] route to the human host.

OR

Following transmission/ingestion, the [pathogen] uses the [entry site] to invade the [cell name] cell.

OR

[Disease or malignancy name] arises from [cell name]s, which are [cell type] cells that are normally involved in [function of cells].

OR

The progression to [disease name] usually involves the [molecular pathway].

OR

The pathophysiology of [disease/malignancy] depends on the histological subtype.

Causes

Disease name] may be caused by [cause1], [cause2], or [cause3].

OR

Common causes of [disease] include [cause1], [cause2], and [cause3].

OR

The most common cause of [disease name] is [cause 1]. Less common causes of [disease name] include [cause 2], [cause 3], and [cause 4].

OR

The cause of [disease name] has not been identified. To review risk factors for the development of [disease name], click here.

Differentiating ((Page name)) from other Diseases

[Disease name] must be differentiated from other diseases that cause [clinical feature 1], [clinical feature 2], and [clinical feature 3], such as [differential dx1], [differential dx2], and [differential dx3].

OR

[Disease name] must be differentiated from [[differential dx1], [differential dx2], and [differential dx3].

Epidemiology and Demographics

The incidence/prevalence of [disease name] is approximately [number range] per 100,000 individuals worldwide.

OR

In [year], the incidence/prevalence of [disease name] was estimated to be [number range] cases per 100,000 individuals worldwide.

OR

In [year], the incidence of [disease name] is approximately [number range] per 100,000 individuals with a case-fatality rate of [number range]%.

Patients of all age groups may develop [disease name].

OR

The incidence of [disease name] increases with age; the median age at diagnosis is [#] years.

OR

[Disease name] commonly affects individuals younger than/older than [number of years] years of age.

OR

[Chronic disease name] is usually first diagnosed among [age group].

OR

[Acute disease name] commonly affects [age group].

There is no racial predilection to [disease name].

OR

[Disease name] usually affects individuals of the [race 1] race. [Race 2] individuals are less likely to develop [disease name].

[Disease name] affects men and women equally.

OR

[Gender 1] are more commonly affected by [disease name] than [gender 2]. The [gender 1] to [gender 2] ratio is approximately [number > 1] to 1.

The majority of [disease name] cases are reported in [geographical region].

OR

[Disease name] is a common/rare disease that tends to affect [patient population 1] and [patient population 2].

Risk Factors

There are no established risk factors for [disease name].

OR

The most potent risk factor in the development of [disease name] is [risk factor 1]. Other risk factors include [risk factor 2], [risk factor 3], and [risk factor 4].

OR

Common risk factors in the development of [disease name] include [risk factor 1], [risk factor 2], [risk factor 3], and [risk factor 4].

OR

Common risk factors in the development of [disease name] may be occupational, environmental, genetic, and viral.

Screening

There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for [disease/malignancy].

OR

According to the [guideline name], screening for [disease name] is not recommended.

OR

According to the [guideline name], screening for [disease name] by [test 1] is recommended every [duration] among patients with [condition 1], [condition 2], and [condition 3].

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

If left untreated, [#]% of patients with [disease name] may progress to develop [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].

OR

Common complications of [disease name] include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].

OR

Prognosis is generally excellent/good/poor, and the 1/5/10-year mortality/survival rate of patients with [disease name] is approximately [#]%.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Study of Choice

The diagnosis of [disease name] is made when at least [number] of the following [number] diagnostic criteria are met: [criterion 1], [criterion 2], [criterion 3], and [criterion 4].

OR

The diagnosis of [disease name] is based on the [criteria name] criteria, which include [criterion 1], [criterion 2], and [criterion 3].

OR

The diagnosis of [disease name] is based on the [definition name] definition, which includes [criterion 1], [criterion 2], and [criterion 3].

OR

There are no established criteria for the diagnosis of [disease name].

History and Symptoms

The majority of patients with [disease name] are asymptomatic.

OR

The hallmark of [disease name] is [finding]. A positive history of [finding 1] and [finding 2] is suggestive of [disease name]. The most common symptoms of [disease name] include [symptom 1], [symptom 2], and [symptom 3]. Common symptoms of [disease] include [symptom 1], [symptom 2], and [symptom 3]. Less common symptoms of [disease name] include [symptom 1], [symptom 2], and [symptom 3].

Physical Examination

Patients with [disease name] usually appear [general appearance]. Physical examination of patients with [disease name] is usually remarkable for [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

OR

Common physical examination findings of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

OR

The presence of [finding(s)] on physical examination is diagnostic of [disease name].

OR

The presence of [finding(s)] on physical examination is highly suggestive of [disease name].

Laboratory Findings

An elevated/reduced concentration of serum/blood/urinary/CSF/other [lab test] is diagnostic of [disease name].

OR

Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of [disease name] include [abnormal test 1], [abnormal test 2], and [abnormal test 3].

OR

[Test] is usually normal among patients with [disease name].

OR

Some patients with [disease name] may have elevated/reduced concentration of [test], which is usually suggestive of [progression/complication].

OR

There are no diagnostic laboratory findings associated with [disease name].

Electrocardiogram

There are no ECG findings associated with [disease name].

OR

An ECG may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an ECG suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

X-ray

There are no x-ray findings associated with [disease name].

OR

An x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an x-ray suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

OR

There are no x-ray findings associated with [disease name]. However, an x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].

Echocardiography or Ultrasound

There are no echocardiography/ultrasound findings associated with [disease name].

OR

Echocardiography/ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an echocardiography/ultrasound suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

OR

There are no echocardiography/ultrasound findings associated with [disease name]. However, an echocardiography/ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].

CT scan

There are no CT scan findings associated with [disease name].

OR

[Location] CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on CT scan suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

OR

There are no CT scan findings associated with [disease name]. However, a CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].

MRI

There are no MRI findings associated with [disease name].

OR

[Location] MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on MRI suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

OR

There are no MRI findings associated with [disease name]. However, a MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].

Other Imaging Findings

There are no other imaging findings associated with [disease name].

OR

[Imaging modality] may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an [imaging modality] suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

Other Diagnostic Studies

There are no other diagnostic studies associated with [disease name].

OR

[Diagnostic study] may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

OR

Other diagnostic studies for [disease name] include [diagnostic study 1], which demonstrates [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3], and [diagnostic study 2], which demonstrates [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

Treatment

Medical Therapy

There is no treatment for [disease name]; the mainstay of therapy is supportive care.

OR

Supportive therapy for [disease name] includes [therapy 1], [therapy 2], and [therapy 3].

OR

The majority of cases of [disease name] are self-limited and require only supportive care.

OR

[Disease name] is a medical emergency and requires prompt treatment.

OR

The mainstay of treatment for [disease name] is [therapy].

OR The optimal therapy for [malignancy name] depends on the stage at diagnosis.

OR

[Therapy] is recommended among all patients who develop [disease name].

OR

Pharmacologic medical therapy is recommended among patients with [disease subclass 1], [disease subclass 2], and [disease subclass 3].

OR

Pharmacologic medical therapies for [disease name] include (either) [therapy 1], [therapy 2], and/or [therapy 3].

OR

Empiric therapy for [disease name] depends on [disease factor 1] and [disease factor 2].

OR

Patients with [disease subclass 1] are treated with [therapy 1], whereas patients with [disease subclass 2] are treated with [therapy 2].

Surgery

Surgical intervention is not recommended for the management of [disease name].

OR

Surgery is not the first-line treatment option for patients with [disease name]. Surgery is usually reserved for patients with either [indication 1], [indication 2], and [indication 3]

OR

The mainstay of treatment for [disease name] is medical therapy. Surgery is usually reserved for patients with either [indication 1], [indication 2], and/or [indication 3].

OR

The feasibility of surgery depends on the stage of [malignancy] at diagnosis.

OR

Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for [disease or malignancy].

Primary Prevention

There are no established measures for the primary prevention of [disease name].

OR

There are no available vaccines against [disease name].

OR

Effective measures for the primary prevention of [disease name] include [measure1], [measure2], and [measure3].

OR

[Vaccine name] vaccine is recommended for [patient population] to prevent [disease name]. Other primary prevention strategies include [strategy 1], [strategy 2], and [strategy 3].

Secondary Prevention

There are no established measures for the secondary prevention of [disease name].

OR

Effective measures for the secondary prevention of [disease name] include [strategy 1], [strategy 2], and [strategy 3].

Overview

Presyncope is a state consisting of lightheadedness, muscular weakness, and feeling faint (as opposed to a syncope, which is actually fainting). Pre-syncope is most often cardiovascular in etiology. In many patients, lightheadedness is a symptom of orthostatic hypotension. Orthostatic hypotension occurs when blood pressure drops significantly when the patient stands from a supine or sitting position. If loss of consciousness occurs in this situation, it is termed syncope. Presyncope is frequently reported in patients with forms of Dysautonomia such as the Postural Tachycardia Syndrome. According to McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine © 2002, presyncope is "An episode of near-fainting which may include lightheadedness, dizziness, severe weakness, blurred vision, which may precede a syncopal episode."

Causes

Life-Threatening Causes

Life-threatening causes include conditions which may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.

• Hemorrhage
• Hypotension
• Hypoxia
• Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Ventricular arrhythmia

Common Causes

• Arrhythmia
• Medication
• Orthostatic hypotension
• Vagal stimulation
• Vertebrobasilar insufficiency

Causes by Organ System

Cardiovascular	Acute coronary syndrome, acute myocardial infarction, acute myocarditis, Adams-Stokes syndrome, anomalous origins of coronary arteries, aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, aortic stenosis, arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, atrial myxoma, atrioventricular block, AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, bifascicular block, bradyarrhythmia, brugada syndrome, cardiac tamponade, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, channelopathy, complete atrioventricular block, dehydration, dilated cardiomyopathy, epsilon wave, hemorrhage, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hypotension, Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome, long QT syndrome, mitral stenosis, orthostatic hypotension, paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia, persistent atrial flutter, preexcitation syndrome, prolonged corrected QT interval, pulmonic stenosis, retroperitoneal hemorrhage, ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, saddle embolus, second degree AV block, short corrected QT interval, short QT syndrome, sick sinus syndrome, significant sinus pause, subclavian steal syndrome, supraventricular tachyarrhythmia, third degree heart block, ventricular arrhythmia, ventricular tachycardia, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Chemical/Poisoning	Carbon monoxide, cocaine, ethanol
Dental	No underlying causes
Dermatologic	No underlying causes
Drug Side Effect	ACE inhibitor, alpha blockers, amitriptyline, antiarrhythmics, antidepressants, antiemetics, antihypertensive medications, antipsychotic agents, barbiturates, beta blockers, bromocriptine, calcium channel blockerchlorpheniramine, cinnarizine, clonidine, desipramine, digoxin, diphenhydramine, diuretics, dothiepin, erectile dysfunction medications, Flurazepam, ganglionic blocker, hydralazine, hydroxyzine, L-dopa, nitrates, nortriptyline, opiates, phenothiazines, rizatriptan, tricyclic antidepressants, vasodilators
Ear Nose Throat	No underlying causes
Endocrine	No underlying causes
Environmental	No underlying causes
Gastroenterologic	Gastrointestinal bleeding
Genetic	Channelopathy
Hematologic	No underlying causes
Iatrogenic	No underlying causes
Infectious Disease	No underlying causes
Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic	No underlying causes
Neurologic	Carotid sinus hypersensitivity, dysautonomia, Lewy body dementia, multiple system atrophy, parkinson disease, seizure, spinal cord injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, transient ischemic attack, vagal stimulation, vertebrobasilar insufficiency
Nutritional/Metabolic	No underlying causes
Obstetric/Gynecologic	No underlying causes
Oncologic	Atrial myxoma, carcinoid syndrome
Ophthalmologic	No underlying causes
Overdose/Toxicity	No underlying causes
Psychiatric	Anorexia nervosa, anxiety, emotional stress, hysterical faint, psychogenic pseudosyncope
Pulmonary	Hypoxia
Renal/Electrolyte	Uremia
Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy	Anaphylaxis, Takayasu's arteritis
Sexual	No underlying causes
Trauma	No underlying causes
Urologic	No underlying causes
Miscellaneous	Breath holding spells, choking game, cough, defecation, deglutition, drop attack, hair combing, heat illness, hyperventilation, hypocapnia, hypoglycemia, implanted cardioverter defibrillator malfunction, laughing, micturition, post-exercise, postprandial hypotension, prolonged bed rest, sneeze, significant blood loss, valsalva maneuver, vomiting, weightlifting

Causes in Alphabetical Order

• ACE inhibitor
• Acute coronary syndrome
• Acute myocardial infarction
• Acute myocarditis
• Adams-Stokes syndrome
• Alpha blockers
• Amitriptyline
• Anaphylaxis
• Anomalous origins of coronary arteries
• Anorexia nervosa
• Antiarrhythmics
• Antidepressants
• Antiemetics
• Antihypertensive medications
• Antipsychotic agents
• Anxiety
• Aortic aneurysm
• Aortic dissection
• Aortic stenosis
• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia
• Atrial myxoma
• Atrioventricular block
• AV nodal reentrant tachycardia
• Barbiturates
• Beta blockers
• Bifascicular block
• Bradyarrhythmia
• Breath holding spells
• Bromocriptine
• Brugada syndrome
• Calcium channel blocker
• Carbon monoxide
• Carcinoid syndrome
• Cardiac tamponade
• Carotid sinus hypersensitivity
• Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
• Channelopathy
• Chlorpheniramine
• Choking game
• Cinnarizine
• Clonidine
• Cocaine
• Complete atrioventricular block

• Cough
• Defecation
• Deglutition
• Dehydration
• Desipramine
• Digoxin
• Dilated cardiomyopathy
• Diphenhydramine
• Diuretics
• Dothiepin
• Drop attack
• Dysautonomia
• Emotional stress
• Epsilon wave
• Erectile dysfunction medications
• Ethanol
• Ganglionic blockers
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Hair combing
• Heat illness
• Hemorrhage
• Hydralazine
• Hydroxyzine
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Hyperventilation
• Hypocapnia
• Hypoglycemia
• Hypotension
• Hypoxia
• Hysterical faint
• Implanted cardioverter defibrillator malfunction
• Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome
• L-dopa
• Laughing
• Lewy body dementia
• Long QT syndrome
• Micturition
• Mitral stenosis
• Mobitz type II heart block
• Multiple system atrophy
• Nitrates
• Nortriptyline

• Opiates
• Orthostatic hypotension
• Parkinson disease
• Paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia
• Persistent atrial flutter
• Phenothiazines
• Post-exercise
• Postprandial hypotension
• Preexcitation syndrome
• Prolonged bed rest
• Prolonged corrected QT interval
• Psychogenic pseudosyncope
• Pulmonic stenosis
• Retroperitoneal hemorrhage
• Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Saddle embolus
• Second degree AV block
• Seizure
• Short corrected QT interval
• Short QT syndrome
• Sick sinus syndrome
• Significant blood loss
• Significant sinus pause
• Sneeze
• Spinal cord injury
• Subarachnoid hemorrhage
• Subclavian steal syndrome
• Supraventricular tachyarrhythmia
• Takayasu's arteritis
• Transient ischemic attack
• Trauma with significant blood loss
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Uremia
• Vagal stimulation
• Valsalva maneuver
• Vasodilators
• Ventricular arrhythmia
• Ventricular tachycardia
• Vertebrobasilar insufficiency
• Vomiting
• Weightlifting
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

Clinical test

The tilt table test is an evaluative clinical test to help identify presyncope or syncope. A tilt angle of 60 and 70 degrees is optimal and maintains a high degree of specificity. A positive sign with the tilt table test must be taken in context of patient history, with consideration of pertinent clinical findings before coming to a conclusion.